1. Questions,
Answers,
Conclusions &
Results
Acts 11

2. Peter’s actions were called in question (vv.1-3)
Acts 11
Peter’s actions were called in question (vv.1-3)
Peter gives his answer (vv. 4-17)
The Jews draw their conclusion (v. 18)
Results in the door open to world (vv )

3. Questions,
Answers,
Conclusions &
Results
Acts 11

4. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Acts 11

5. Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Reason for the questions – new and different
An uncircumcised Gentile – Baptized
An uncircumcised Gentile – Accepted into fellowship
Peter (an apostle) associated & ate with Gentiles
This was astounding & alarming to Jewish Christians
Going through the same struggle Peter did earlier
Seems the other apostles are in on criticism

6. They are struggling too This is new to them!
“It seems implied that some of the apostles who were still at Jerusalem were in on the criticism. At least, had they expressed their approval of Peter’s action, there would have been less opposition from those circumcised believers making their complaint.”
Gareth L. Reese, Acts, 407
They are struggling too
This is new to them!
They have not seen evidence Peter has

7. Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Reason for the questions – new and different
Not willing to accept this without evidence
Peter had faced the same thing (Acts 10:14, 28-29)
Not willing to embrace it on basis that it is new and is against tradition
But willing to listen to evidence (vv. 4-17)
When heard did two things (v. 18)
“Became silent” – ceased taking issue
“Glorified God saying…” – embraced it – spoke in favor

8. Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Reason for the questions – new and different
Not willing to accept this without evidence
Never accept anything “new” without evidence
Some always look “new” and different (Acts 17:21)
Some want anything that is not “tradition”
Denominationalism grew out of new things
“Presiding elders” – led to Catholic church
Infant baptism
Instrumental music
New doctrines
New practices
Ask questions where is the evidence (2 Cor. 4:13)

9. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Acts 11

10. Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv. 16-18)
How God teaches – giving evidence for conclusion
When asked if he is “coming one” – Jesus worked miracles (Luke 7:19-22)
When asked about divorce for any cause – Jesus cited four principles (Matt. 19:3-6)
God expects us to reason (Isa. 1:8)

11. Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv. 16-18)
How God teaches – giving evidence for conclusion
Proper conclusion was drawn
Peter’s conclusion (v. 17)
Jew’s conclusion (v. 18)
What they did not conclude:
Gentiles are saved differently that we are
Every prospect / convert will receive HSB
Saved without repentance and obedience

12. Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv. 16-18)
How god Teaches – giving evidence for conclusion
Proper conclusion was drawn
How conclusion was / should be drawn
Careful consideration of what was said / done – vs – what is not said / done
Test it by the fundamentals that you know
Knew what God required to be save (Acts 2)
Knew God is no respecter of person (Acts 10:34)
Is this an inference or a necessary inference?
Is my conclusion consistent?
Other passages that come into play (i.e. Acts 15:13-ff)

13. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Acts 11

14. Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Peter gives the events by order
Acts 10 is not “by order” (Sermon first then the Holy Spirit fell)
Here: “in order from the beginning” (“orderly sequence” (NASB)
What difference did it make?
At what point Holy Spirit fell (v. 15)
Conclusion can be saved (v. 18)

15. Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Peter gives the events by order
Order matters:
Faith & repentance (Acts 2:36, 38)
Salvation & baptism (Mark 16:16)
Telling others about sin against you (Matt. 18:15-17)
Sexual relations & marriage (Heb. 13:4)
Divorce & fornication (Matt. 19:9)

16. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
Acts 11

17. Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
What does it mean to “withstand God”?
“Stand in God’s way” (ESV; NASB)
Oppose the manifested will of God
Oppose God himself

18. Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
What does it mean to “withstand God”?
Peter would not withstand God
To refused to go to the Gentiles – would be withstanding God
To refuse to go to the Gentiles – would be opposing God
To fail to acknowledge the inference – would oppose God
Asked, “Who was I…” (cf. Rom.11:34)

19. Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
What does it mean to “withstand God”?
Peter would not withstand God
Possible to oppose God himself
When I refuse to do what God commands
When I do what God has forbidden
When I reject the forced conclusion
When I reason that God’s way will not work

20. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
Need Purpose of Heart to Continue (v. 23)
Acts 11

21. Need Purpose of Heart to Continue (v. 23)
Goal: “continue with the Lord”
Loyal to the Lord
Close to the Lord
Cleave to the Lord (KJV)

22. Need Purpose of Heart to Continue (v. 23)
Goal: “continue with the Lord”
Needed: “purpose of heart”
A resolute heart
Fixed and settle determination
Make it one’s purpose in life to remain faithful
That’s what makes a difference in people!
One who is most dedicated & diligent has purpose of heart
One who hits and misses – doesn’t have purpose of heart

23. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
Need Purpose of Heart to Continue (v. 23)
Pressure Fans the Flame (vv )
Acts 11

24. Pressure Fans the Flame (vv. 19-21)
Persecution caused disciples to scatter (v. 19)
Started back with Stephen (Acts 6-7)
Same as the situation in Acts 8:4
Intent was to “blow out the flame”

25. Pressure Fans the Flame (vv. 19-21)
Persecution caused disciples to scatter (v. 19)
Actually fanned the flame (vv )
Caused the gospel to spread – like a fire
Did earlier (Acts 8:4)
Resulted in the gospel coming to Antioch

26. Pressure Fans the Flame (vv. 19-21)
Persecution caused disciples to scatter (v. 19)
Actually fanned the flame (vv )
Pressure (though unpleasant) is not a bad thing
Makes us more determined
Makes us study harder when challenged
Draws us closer together
Cause us to appreciate the truth when called to stand

27. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
Need Purpose of Heart to Continue (v. 23)
Pressure Fans the Flame (vv )
Christians = Church = Disciples (vv )
Acts 11

28. Christians = Church = Disciples (vv. 20-26)
First use of the name Christian (v. 26)
Means “follower of Christ”
“Called” = by divine calling (cf. Matt. 2:12; Rom. 7:2)
Used three times (cf. Acts 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16)

29. Christians = Church = Disciples (vv. 20-26)
First use of the name Christian (v. 26)
Who were these Christians?
Believed and turned to the Lord (v. 21)
Received the grace of God (v. 23)
In the church (v. 26)
Are disciples (v.26)

30. Questions, Answers, Conclusions & Results
Don’t Accept New Without Evidence (vv. 1-18)
Learn the Proper Conclusion (vv )
Order Makes a Difference (v. 15)
Possible to Withstand God (v. 17)
Need Purpose of Heart to Continue (v. 23)
Pressure Fans the Flame (vv )
Christians = Church = Disciples (vv )
Acts 11